Historically, the mental status examination (MSE) has held a revered place in psychiatry and medicine. In recent years, professional competence in conducting MSEs has expanded to include all mental health professionals, especially those who work within medical settings.As an example of how MSE skills have become more cross-disciplinary, the latest accreditation standards for professional counselors require coverage of MSE concepts and skills within master’s level counseling programs (Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs, 2009). Overall, the MSE offers physicians, psychologists, counselors, and social workers a unique method for evaluating the internal mental condition of patients or clients.

Very recently, our publisher, John Wiley and Sons, posted a clip from a training DVD we filmed on MSE skills. Check it out at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lu50uciF5Y